The best boutique hotels and hostels in Bangkok

This boutique establishment provides a comforting stay in the heart of chaotic Chinatown. Modern, minimalistic design calms the senses, but a slew of in-house events, such as drag shows and art-focused showcases, energize the body and mind.

For decades, this noble home was passed on from one generation of the respected Vajrabhaya family to the next. A few years ago, its current owner, Premmanat Vajrabhaya, converted this colonial inheritance into a boutique hotel. Baan Vajra has a distinguished air that has not diminished over time. The garden is a focal point, boasting a majestic centuries-old bodhi tree. Antique furniture set in classic, colonial-style rooms plays a big part in transporting guests to old Bangkok. An outdoor jacuzzi with a view of the bodhi tree is an ideal spot to unwind after a hectic day of sightseeing around the city.

The elegant Sino-Portuguese interiors of Baan 2459 in Yaowarat transports guests to the bygone era of early modern Rattanakosin. The state-of-the-art hotel was refurbished from a century-old mansion, and the renovation work was conducted to retain the structure’s original interior as much as possible. Four rooms are all pleasingly decked out in ancient-style furniture and earthy retro colors, and each comes with an elegantly dressed bathroom. The restaurant on the second floor serves Thai-style breakfast like congee and kai ka ta (fried egg served in a small casserole). Caffeine specialist CHATA has opened a café nearby that serves specialty coffee and homemade baked goodies.

The 19-key hotel is part of a creative community-oriented complex in Ratchathewi that also houses an art space and a theater. GalileOasis used to be a cluster of old shophouses and you can still see how the hotel has retained most of the original structures. Modern wooden touches have been added to evoke warm intimacy, while lush greenery provides a welcome reprieve from all the concrete and commercial structures that surround the hotel.

Located right in the midst of busy Phayathai (only two minutes away from the BTS station), this two-year-old boutique hotel has revamped an old residential building into a 74-key sanctuary. The hotel blends contemporary touches with ’70s-style glamour, and gives off classy vintage vibes that teleport you to the early days of westernized Bangkok.

A lot of buzz surrounded this Ari hotel when it first opened in 2017/18,  mostly due to its charming modern-vintage design. Classy ’80s-style décor and interiors combined with a clever use of dreamy colors like green, blue and pink Josh makes the hotel feel like the set of a Wes Anderson movie. The venue is also home to cool bars and restaurants, including hip donut shop Drop by Dough.

Instagram-savvy excursionists seem to get a kick out of staying at riverside hotels. Kene Hotel, a boutique venue along Chao Phraya River, is especially popular among this demographic for its pleasing aesthetics. The white-washed, symmetric, Brutalist-inspired structure provides an amazing background for photos for the feed. The indoor pool, the hotel’s focal point, is also great for stylized shots. Pair these with luxurious accommodations and friendly rates, and you have a winner.

It feels surreal that this leafy paradise exists in one of the city’s most bustling areas. The hotel is takes its name from the Thai word that signifies being in a dreamy state, and Kloem tries its best to evoke the feeling with a scattering of bean bags and huge hammocks at the lobby (perfect for all-day slumbering or midday naps), while traditional Thai elements like triangle pillows and woven crafts evoke a “homestay” feel. Choose between a dormitory-style room or a private bedroom decked out in black and white. The hostel also frequently hosts Thai cooking classes, but you need to call for the schedule.

If you binge-watched The Serpent on Netflix, then you’ll recognize Miami Hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 13, where the series was shot. The place is the perfect spot to have the best backpacking experience given its pocket-friendly room rates and central location in Nana. Modern art deco-inspired interiors set off vintage furniture and decor, some of which can be traced back to 1965 when the hotel first opened.

This lovely hotel in the Old Town evokes a home away from home. Infusing a contemporary flair into traditional Thai elements, Nanda Heritage Hotel is built from repurposed parts of a historic European-style mansion that belonged to the esteemed Lekhyananda family. Each stay offers a history lesson as you’ll be sleeping among original decorative elements like window frames, carved teak wood banisters, and louvred ventilation panels that have been combined with modern minimalist elements. A swimming pool on the second floor is perfect for beating the summer heat.

As a tribute to her grandmother, owner Sirasa Mangklapruk has converted parts of a commercial building on Soi Sukhumvit 49 into this pretty little boutique hotel. Step inside the lovely teal building and you’ll be bombarded by vintage memorabilia, most of which belonged to Sirisa’s grandmother (a pharmacist) such as old medicine bottles, antique tables, chairs and lamps. The rooms are basic but are comfortable and boast a cozy charm. The room on the top floor is perfect for chilling with friends and boasts a private rooftop with decent views of Sukhumvit.

From the outside, this minimalist hotel gives the impression that the site has yet to be completed. Maybe it’s the building’s faded green color. Upon closer look, however, you’ll notice that the hotel’s facade features designs that take cues from the high curved roofs of traditional Thai-style houses. Set in Rattanakosin Island, the hotel provides a great option for travelers who want to explore Bangkok’s old town. Bonus: Khaosan Road is less than a kilometer away. 

If venturing into a maze-like neighborhood like Talad Noi for a homestay experience is up your alley, then Talakkia Boutique Hotel could be ideal for you. Nestled in historic Charoenkrung, this newly opened hotel features Chinese-inspired aesthetics and a range of room types, including one with bunk beds for a hostel feel.

Located within convenient access to notorious Khaosan Road, but far enough not to be bothered by all the chaos, Tales Khaosan takes guests on a comforting ride within a train-themed hostel. An old shophouse has been transformed into a photogenic setting that resembles a train compartment. Each bed in the mixed dorm is designed to resemble those on a sleeper train. (But fret not, the beds here are much more comfy and spacious, and are equipped with USB sockets and a reading light.) Those who prefer privacy can book the one and only private room. A café on the ground floor serves good coffee brewed from beans from Chiang Rai.